Three notes are all it takes to ignite a frenzy. For Northeastern University Huskies hockey fans, those opening notes of “Stacy’s Mom” are more than just a catchy tune; they’re the sonic trigger for an eruption of school spirit and unwavering support. When the pep band strikes up the Fountains of Wayne classic, Matthews Arena transforms into a cauldron of sound, fueled by thousands of roaring fans.
“That’s easily the loudest it gets in any arena,” confirms Gracie Rosenbaum, the pep band president and a talented flute player. “They will absolutely be jumping out of their seats, if they aren’t already standing. It’s that immediate rush of approval from the crowd as you’re playing, just three notes and they already recognize what’s happening, it’s so cool.” This instant recognition and explosive reaction solidify “Stacy’s Mom” as the undisputed, unofficial theme song for Northeastern hockey, a tradition as ingrained as the blue and white itself.
The Sound of Husky Hockey: Why ‘Stacy’s Mom’ Rocks Matthews Arena
“Stacy’s Mom” isn’t just background music at a Huskies game; it’s an integral part of the experience. It’s a rallying cry, an anthem that fans are primed and ready to belt out at the top of their lungs. Strategically deployed late in the game, especially when the Huskies are leading or have just evened the score, the song acts as a jolt of energy for the DogHouse, the notoriously spirited student section that electrifies Matthews Arena – and even larger venues like TD Garden, as witnessed during the electrifying Beanpot men’s final games. The infectious rhythm and relatable lyrics of “Stacy’s Mom” connect with fans of all ages, creating a unified wall of sound that amplifies the excitement of the game.
Released in 2003 by Fountains of Wayne, “Stacy’s Mom” quickly transcended its initial pop-rock origins. It climbed to No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band’s most successful single in the United States. Achieving gold certification with over 500,000 copies sold, and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, the song’s mainstream appeal was undeniable. But its journey from radio hit to college hockey anthem is a unique and fascinating story.
From 2003 Hit to Hockey Anthem: The Origins of a College Tradition
While many universities boast iconic songs that define their sports culture – think of Wisconsin football’s earth-shaking “Jump Around” by House of Pain, Virginia Tech football’s dramatic entrance to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” the Boston Red Sox faithful singing along to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” or the New York Yankees celebrating victories with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” – “Stacy’s Mom” has carved out a singular niche as the sound of Northeastern hockey.
But how did this 20-year-old track become so deeply intertwined with the spirit of the Huskies? The answer lies with Justin Harriman, a Northeastern alumnus from the class of 2002. Harriman is not just any alumnus; he’s the founder of the DogHouse, established 25 years ago, and the inaugural recipient of the Super Fan award during the 2001-’02 hockey season. His passion for Huskies hockey runs deep, and it was his persistent, playful request that ultimately cemented “Stacy’s Mom” into Northeastern lore.
Justin Harriman Beanpot Trophy Northeastern Hockey FanJustin Harriman, a Northeastern alumnus and founder of the DogHouse, proudly displays the Beanpot trophy, showcasing his enduring support for Huskies hockey.
During a hockey game in the 2011-’12 season, Harriman was seated in Section 41 alongside fellow alumni and former DogHouse members, including Pierson Van Raalte (Class of 2004) and Doug Thivierge (Class of 2003). As the pep band concluded a song during a break in play, Harriman inquired about the tune. His friend believed it was “Stacy’s Mom.” From that moment, a playful campaign began. Harriman started enthusiastically shouting “Stacy’s Mom” at the pep band, game after game, hoping to hear the song echo through the arena. Initially, his requests went unanswered; the band simply didn’t have “Stacy’s Mom” in their repertoire. Yet, Harriman’s persistence, fueled by a good-natured whim, was about to pay off.
His repeated calls for “Stacy’s Mom” eventually caught the attention of the pep band. Whether amused by his unwavering dedication or simply swayed by the sheer volume of his requests, the band decided to learn the song. And when they finally unleashed “Stacy’s Mom” upon the Matthews Arena crowd, the reaction was electric.
“The thing is that that song’s like 20-plus years old, it’s older than most of the kids in the DogHouse,” Harriman reflects. “So kids have had to go online and look up lyrics and learn the song to be part of singing along at games. And that’s the running joke, that I just yelled ‘Stacy’s Mom’ over and over again throughout the course of a few games and the band decided to learn the song.” This humorous origin story only adds to the song’s charm and its unique connection to the Northeastern hockey community.
More Than Just a Song: ‘Stacy’s Mom’ as a Rallying Cry
For Harriman, the evolution of “Stacy’s Mom” from an inside joke to a cherished university tradition is a testament to the organic and often unexpected ways that school spirit takes root. “I love it. It’s such a classic DogHouse tradition that something starts off as an inside joke and ends up being a university tradition,” Harriman says, highlighting the song’s grassroots rise to anthem status.
Pep band director Allison Betsold, who took on her role in 2016, quickly learned the significance of “Stacy’s Mom.” “The first instructions she was given when she took the job in 2016 was to play the song when the hockey team is winning,” she explains, underscoring the song’s now-official, albeit unofficial, role in game-day proceedings.
The Pep Band’s Perspective: Orchestrating the ‘Stacy’s Mom’ Mania
Betsold vividly describes the transformative effect of “Stacy’s Mom” on the arena atmosphere. “The fans will start to cheer, jump up and down, start dancing, start singing. I love it, especially at games like Beanpot where we have almost triple or quadruple the regular student crowd than we have at Matthews,” Betsold notes, emphasizing the amplified energy during high-stakes events. “And I just like the wall of cheers that come when they hear those first opening notes, it is electric. You can feel the floor pulsing when they’re all jumping up and down at the Garden, which is a little scary, but pretty exciting.”
The pep band’s deployment of “Stacy’s Mom” is a carefully considered strategy. Betsold explains, “the band is instructed to play ‘Stacy’s Mom’ if the team is ahead in the third period, with between 5 and 10 minutes to go, usually at the 6-minute mark when there is a long media timeout. But only if the team is winning. If it’s a blowout and the team is up by several goals, they will go ahead with the song around the 10-minute mark.” This calculated timing maximizes the song’s impact, injecting a surge of confidence and enthusiasm into both the team and the fans during crucial moments.
When the game is tied, the decision to unleash “Stacy’s Mom” becomes more nuanced. “It’s a game-time decision,” Betsold says. “If Northeastern ties it up, they will sometimes play the song to fire up the fans, but not if the opponent ties the game.” The song’s use in tied games is reserved for moments when the Huskies seize momentum, aiming to propel them to victory with the crowd’s vocal support.
The Superstition Factor: To Play or Not to Play ‘Stacy’s Mom’
Betsold even recounts an anecdote that hints at a possible superstition surrounding the song. “If Northeastern scores the tying goal and we feel like we have the momentum and we want the crowd to be super into it, then sometimes we will play it. And, not even kidding, more often than not we’ll get a go-ahead goal after that. I’m not kidding,” she states, half-jokingly suggesting a causal link between “Stacy’s Mom” and on-ice success.
However, a moment of hesitation at the Beanpot championship last year reveals the weight of this musical decision. At a 0-0 tie in the third period against Boston University, Betsold considered playing “Stacy’s Mom” but sought the DogHouse’s opinion. “A couple of them said, ‘yeah, we need it, we need it.’ But most of them said, ‘no, don’t wanna jinx it.’ And then we lost that game. So I’m not saying it’s because we didn’t play ‘Stacy’s Mom,’ but,” Betsold concludes with a wry hint of superstition, leaving the question of the song’s mystical influence playfully open.
Whether superstition or simply a powerful psychological boost, “Stacy’s Mom” has undeniably become an essential element of the Northeastern Huskies hockey experience. From its accidental beginnings as a shouted request to its current status as a beloved anthem, the song embodies the spirit, energy, and unique traditions that define Northeastern hockey fandom. It’s more than just a song; it’s the sound of Husky pride.
